Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. It is a world-wide health problem. It affects people of every race and colour. It bears no allegiance to wealth or social status.

Melanoma Incidence (2008) Source: wikipedia. © Nil (Public Domain)

The World Health Organisation estimates that “…130,000 malignant melanomas occur globally each year, substantially contributing to mortality rates in fair-skinned populations … [and] an estimated 66,000 deaths occur annually from melanoma and other skin cancers”.

Skin Cancer in Australia

Skin cancers are understood to be caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Atmospheric ozone is a key absorber of UV radiation. In the southern hemisphere, atmospheric ozone has been depleted, resulting in higher levels of UV radiation reaching the surface of the earth. People living in countries like Australia and New Zealand are exposed to much higher levels of UV radiation under normal conditions and are more likely to develop skin cancer.

Some statistics from the Department of Health and Ageing:

• Australia has the highest skin cancer incidence rate in the world.
• Australians are four times more likely to develop a skin cancer than any other form of cancer.
• Approximately two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70.
• While melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, it is the most life threatening form of skin cancer. In 2007, there were 10,342 new cases of melanoma, making it overall the fourth most common form of cancer in Australia.
• Total deaths from melanoma were 1,279.
• Melanoma is also one of the most common cancers affecting youth in Australia.

Further Information

At intrepidcycle.com we won’t be replicating information that is available from reputable websites already in existence. Instead we will be collating a list of online resources, a one-stop-shop if you will, that can help you to understand this disease better.

Some useful links:

About Melanoma information on the disease and current treatment options

• The Cancer Council of Victoria (Australia)
• The Mayo Clinic (USA)
• Clinical Trials at the Melanoma Institute Australia (Australia)

Fundraising and Lobby Groups other organisations working to find a cure for melanoma

• Australian Cancer Research Foundation (Australia)
• Melanoma Institute Australia (Australia)
• Melanoma Research Foundation (USA)